Jones excited by bringing new era to Luton

Mike Simmonds

Hatters boss Nathan Jones is excited by the chance to lead his Luton side into a new era at Kenilworth Road.

The Town chief has streamlined his squad since the season ended, releasing a host of players, including Jake Howells and Alex Lawless, with Paddy McCourt leaving the club too, heading back to Ireland.

“I haven’t come here not to be successful and hopefully we’ve already put in the foundations of that and we can kick on.”

Nathan Jones

Jones is now looking forward to reshaping the side with his own signings, after bringing in Alan Sheehan on a permanent basis, as he said: “It’s an exciting time as we’re a good club, we’ve got the nucleus of a squad here.

“We know who we want to bring in and it’s just about getting them in now and moving forward, we’re excited about what we have to do.

“It’s been a fairly turbulent season, but since I’ve come in it’s been less turbulent. We’ve added a little bit more stability, had a little bit more continuity and I’ve been pleased.

“It was a season that started with a lot of expectation but hasn’t fulfilled that.

“We’ve arrived at this point, there’s no point looking back now, we’re looking forward.

“It’s relatively early days in a new era. We think it’s going to be a new era, we believe it’s going to be a new era and it’s important that we all move forward together.”

Jones finished the season with 11 wins, three draws and seven defeats from his 21 games in charge, claiming 36 points from a possible 63.

Although it wasn’t enough to reach the challenge the boss had set himself of making the play-offs, he was proud of the job done so far and can’t wait to begin on an even keel next term.

Jones added: “I think our points tally, if we had started in January would be good, the table would look a lot different.

“When I sit down and think clearly, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved this season because we’ve changed lots of things, behind the scenes, on the pitch.

“It’s just we want to get better, I want to get better, I wanted to get into the play-offs.

“I had a dream when I came here, I spoke to them about how far can we go.

“Some would have said ‘don’t be silly it’s too much ground,’ but we nearly did it, and I’m proud of that.

“Now if we get more additions and better than what we have, improve the team, and have a bit more time to work with them then I’m excited about what we can achieve.

“We’re looking starting a fresh as we won’t be having to play catch up or anything and that breeds confidence.

“I haven’t come here not to be successful and hopefully we’ve already put in the foundations of that and we can kick on.”